Brandmerry Blog Archives
How to Get Started With SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
If you have a website and aren't paying attention to SEO, you are missing out on FREE traffic to your website and potentially on your list. And if you are a blogger, it's even more crucial in getting people to check out the content you spend precious time creating (like this piece right here)!
SEO, Search Engine Optimization, is the process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine. Basically, it's how Google knows to rank your content so people find it.
Over the past year, I've watched as Google searches lead people to my little blog and onto my email list and eventually to becoming paying customers. I don't know about you, but I'll take free advertisement any day of the week.
Today I want to share with you three simple steps you can take to get started implementing SEO on your own website. I use Squarespace, which makes it truly easy to implement, but these strategies can be used on every platform.
1) Content is Queen
There is a reason so many entrepreneurs are blogging and creating videos, and it isn't because they have a ton to say. It's because content rich websites have a better SEO and therefore a better ranking on Google. Think of different ways to add content to your website that is in alignment with what your ideal client is searching for. Some of my top ranking blog posts are:
7 TIPS FOR A WELL-BRANDED PHOTOSHOOT
HOW TO GET YOUR IDEAL CLIENT TO STAY ON YOUR WEBSITE
REPURPOSING YOUR CONTENT TO REACH MORE PEOPLE IN LESS TIME
Struggling to come up with ideas? Listen to what people are asking around you! If you have a list, private community on Facebook or are active in other groups, see what questions people are asking and address the problem with a solution on your website (just like I'm doing here).
2) Add Keyword Title and Descriptions
I know it's super tempting to be cute with your title, but for SEO purposes let's think more practically. When naming your blog post or coming up with your custom url be super specific and think of your keywords.
For instance if I were to do a blog post about uncovering your story and how that helps you build a business, I wouldn't use those words because my ideal client isn't searching for that exactly. What they are searching for is How to Brand Yourself When Building A Business (see the difference)? Then in the page description write a 2-3 sentence tagline about the post. This will be hidden, but will tell Google exactly what your content is about allowing them to better categorize your content.
3) Renaming Your Images
Speaking of hidden content, let's talk images. When you upload an image you have the option to change the image name and write a caption. It's important to add keywords, or the title, to the image name, so Google has one more place to pick up on your SEO. In addition, it's crucial to add a caption to your photos, even if they are hidden. Most of the captions on Brandmerry.com are hidden and it has the same effect as a page description without cluttering your page.
BONUS TIP: This is huge for Pinterest as well. If you, or someone else, pins your image, Pinterest will pull the caption associated with your image, so make it a good one!
I've included a photo below to better show this step in Squarespace ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Step One:
Add your caption under the photo
Step Two:
Hide your caption (Do not display caption)
Step three:
Change the file name of the image
Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business coach for female entrepreneurs who are struggling to gain visibility and traction to take their business to the next level. She works with her clients to dive deep into their story so they can create a brand and message that positions them as an expert and allows them to create their desired income to free up time in their schedule for what matters most. Learn more >>
5 DAILY TASKS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GET MORE DONE & REACH YOUR GOALS
5 daily tasks that will allow you to get more done and reach your goals
Last week, I shared a video on my Facebook page about what my day to day schedule looks like (hint: there isn't much of a structure) and what I focus on every single day, yes it is the same, that allows me to hit my business and life goals!
If you want to check out the full video and subscribe to my YouTube channel, go here >> https://youtu.be/bkawBBsKWuw
But, I thought it would be super helpful to lay out the 5 daily tasks below so you can get inspired to create your Daily 5!
5 Daily Tasks That Allow Me to Get More Done and Constantly Move Towards Reaching My Goals
1) Personal Care
Every single day I do something for my mind and/or body so that I can be on my absolute A Game when it comes to growing and running my business. Most days I do a short 10-minute meditation to feel grounded in my energy, a workout (cause that sh*t is important), read my beliefs, visualize my goals and fuel my body. Often times we forget about taking care of ourselves while we are out building our empire, but this is a step that can't be skipped!
2) Grow My List/ Community
Whether I'm posting or engaging in another FB group, sharing a YouTube video, promoting my free offer, etc... I made sure not to miss a single day in growing my community. Your community is ESSENTIAL in running a business and, as you will see in task #3, where the trust between client and mentor begins to grow. Make it a goal to do something that gets the word out about your FB group, email list, newsletter, free offer, etc... so you can start building those deep relationships!
3) Nurture My List/ Community
This step is HUGE! I see time and time again that entrepreneurs spend so much time in energy in growing their list and zero time nurturing it. If you are sitting there not making the money you desire in your business, check yourself on how often you are engaging with the people who WANT to hear from you. Every single day I either email my list, go live, share in my community, post on social media or do individual outreach - whatever I feel called in that moment will remind my community I'm here to support them! Join my community here >>
4) Make a Sale
Look, we have to make money! That's basically the bottom line and although no one wants to talk about selling or pitching or whatever it is you want to call it - IT IS IMPORTANT! You can only continue to do what you are doing and making your impact in the world, if you are financially supported. Every day I do something that will lead to a sale. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not selling every single day, but I'm coming up with a way to make money, whether that is a new program, a product, a special offer or reaching out to a past prospect. Make it your goal every day to grow your business, by making money!
5) Research
I freaking LOVE research! I can get lost in doing hours and hours of research on a particular topic, so when I was picking the Daily 5, I knew I needed to include it. I want to constantly be growing in my business and in order to do that I need to stay up-to-date on new offering, strategies, mindset routines, etc... I often drive my research topic by what my community and clients need most so I know I'm first and foremost serving them.
Don't forget this list should be customizable to YOU, but I highly recommend choosing your Daily 5 and sticking to it. The best part, no matter how crazy life might get, you know if you complete your Daily 5 you will reach your goals!
Just a quick reminder you can watch the full video, where I shared a little more about my personal schedule here: https://youtu.be/bkawBBsKWuw
Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business coach for female entrepreneurs who are struggling to gain visibility and traction to take their business to the next level. She works with her clients to dive deep into their story so they can create a brand and message that positions them as an expert and allows them to create their desired income to free up time in their schedule for what matters most. Learn more >>
3 Key Pieces to Create Your Personal Brand
3 KEY PIECES TO CREATE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
I'm excited to announce a new feature on the Brandmerry Blog and through my Youtube channel, which if you aren't subscribed you can do so here: http://bit.ly/Brandmerry-YouTube
I'll be sharing live videos that I record in my private community Authentic Brand Builders, on my FB business page or as a guest expert, that are not to be missed!
I'm excited to share with you a live stream I did recently talking about the 3 Key Pieces to Create Your Personal Brand.
In today's video I'm sharing:
▶ ▶ Why creating a brand is more effective than just creating a business and how a switch in focus allows you to stand out to your ideal client in the crowded online world.
▶ ▶ My #1 approach to branding that allows you to give your brand a voice and my top strategy for finding it, so you can build an irresistible and bold brand that positions you as an expert in your industry from the get go.
▶ ▶The #1 thing missing from online branding and how you can identify it and start incorporating it into every aspect of your brand so you not only grab the attention of your audience, but keep it long enough to build a deep, meaningful connection with them.
Don't miss out exclusive FB lives and the opportunity to ask your juicy questions, by joining my community The Authentic Brand Building Entrepreneur (or ABB for short ;))
Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business coach for female entrepreneurs who are struggling to gain visibility and traction to take their business to the next level. She works with her clients to dive deep into their story so they can create a brand and message that positions them as an expert and allows them to create their desired income to free up time in their schedule for what matters most. Learn more >>
What's Missing From Your Brand and How to Fix It
WHAT'S MISSING FROM YOUR BRAND AND HOW TO FIX IT
Let's cut right to it shall we?
The #1 thing missing from your brand is emotion!
If you don't make people FEEL something then they are going to peace out. The average time people spend on a website is 15 seconds, so you better be able to do something right off the bat to catch their attention and pull them in to what you have to offer.
Another very important component of branding is building trust. You do this by sharing your story yes, but you also want people to know you understand them 100% and that they can trust you to be vulnerable and understanding of their needs and wants - this comes form building an emotional connection.
In this episode of the Brandmerry Vlog, I'm sharing with you how your can carry the emotions of your brand into the aesthetics and content of your brand.
What's Missing From Your Brand and How to Fix It
Did you watch the video and discover my love of Pinterest when it comes to branding? Want to connect with me so you have a one stop shop for all things branding and business related? Follow me here: http://pinterest.com/brandmerrycoaching
Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business coach for female entrepreneurs who are struggling to gain visibility and traction to take their business to the next level. She works with her clients to dive deep into their story so they can create a brand and message that positions them as an expert and allows them to create their desired income to free up time in their schedule for what matters most. Learn more >>
The Importance of Your Brand Story in Running a Successful Business
I'm excited about Episode 12 of the Brandmerry Web Series because it is about the topic I've build my business on - your brand story. I've seen first hand the difference between creating a brand and business that looks like what you think it "should" look like and one that is truly, authentically you. Let me tell you the latter is definietely the best!
Today's episode is all about...
The Importance of Your Brand Story
Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business coach for female entrepreneurs who are struggling to gain visibility and traction to take their business to the next level. She works with her clients to dive deep into their story so they can create a brand and message that positions them as an expert and allows them to create their desired income to free up time in their schedule for what matters most. Learn more >>